Debunking the Viral Claim: Elon Musk, Mel Gibson, and Mark Wahlberg’s Alleged ‘Un-Woke’ Film Studio
A sensational claim has been circulating widely on social media, alleging that tech billionaire Elon Musk has invested $3 billion into a new “anti-woke” film studio founded by Hollywood actors Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg. According to these viral reports, the trio is supposedly launching a production company that rejects progressive storytelling and aims to “restore Hollywood’s golden age” by producing politically conservative, traditionalist films.
The claim has been met with both excitement and skepticism, drawing reactions from different sides of the political and cultural spectrum. However, despite its widespread traction, there is no truth to this story. Multiple fact-checking organizations, including Reuters, Snopes, and PolitiFact, have thoroughly debunked the claims, proving that the entire narrative originated from a satirical article that was later misrepresented as genuine news.
Where Did This Rumor Start?
The origins of this false claim can be traced back to April 2024, when a satirical website posted an article claiming that Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg had teamed up to create a film studio that would exclusively produce “traditional” and “non-woke” movies. The article, which was clearly intended as satire, humorously described the actors’ supposed mission to counter Hollywood’s progressive storytelling.
However, as the article spread online, its satirical nature was lost, and some social media users began presenting it as a real news report. Shortly after, an edited headline and manipulated images emerged, falsely claiming that Elon Musk had joined the alleged project as a financial backer with an investment of $1 billion.
Over time, the claim evolved further, with the supposed investment inflating to $3 billion and new fabricated details being added—such as claims that the film studio had already secured production deals, had scripts in development, and was planning to cast actors like Chris Pratt and Gina Carano in upcoming projects.
How the Rumor Spread on Social Media
The false claim gained significant momentum on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, where politically charged topics often go viral. Users who support anti-woke narratives enthusiastically shared the post, praising the supposed film studio as a necessary challenge to Hollywood’s current landscape.
Several high-profile conservative influencers amplified the story, further embedding it in public discourse. Some users even went as far as creating fake screenshots of news articles from reputable media outlets, such as Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety, to make the claim appear more credible.
Even though fact-checking organizations debunked the claim multiple times, the misinformation persisted, largely because many people failed to verify the sources before sharing it.
Fact-Checking the False Claim
By mid-2024, multiple trusted fact-checking organizations had thoroughly investigated and refuted the rumors.
🔎 Reuters Investigation (April 2024)
Reuters examined the claim and found that no official record or announcement existed regarding a Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg film studio.
Gibson’s publicist confirmed that the actor had no involvement in such a project.
There was no evidence that Elon Musk had invested any money into film production.
Verdict: False
🔎 PolitiFact Report (June 2024)
A fact-check by PolitiFact traced the claim to a satirical post and noted that Musk had never commented publicly on such a project.
The alleged investment was fabricated, and there were no business records indicating such a financial deal.
Verdict: False
🔎 Snopes Analysis (September 2024)
Snopes fact-checked the latest version of the rumor, which now falsely claimed Musk had increased his investment to $3 billion.
The website found no credible sources confirming the claim and debunked it as completely fabricated.
Verdict: False
Despite these debunkings, the misinformation continued to circulate, fueled by confirmation bias and politically motivated narratives.
Why Did People Believe This Story?
There are several key reasons why this false claim gained traction and was widely believed:
1️⃣ Pre-Existing Narratives and Bias
Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg have publicly expressed conservative views, which made the claim believable to their fan base.
Elon Musk has been outspoken against “woke culture” and Hollywood’s progressive direction, further fueling speculation that he would fund such a venture.
2️⃣ Lack of Media Literacy
Many social media users failed to recognize the story’s satirical origins and did not verify sources before sharing the claim.
3️⃣ Social Media Algorithms Prioritize Engagement
Platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok prioritize engagement over accuracy, amplifying sensationalist claims regardless of their credibility.
4️⃣ Manipulated Content and Fake News Screenshots
Fake images, headlines, and doctored screenshots made the claim appear more legitimate.
The Reality: Elon Musk’s Actual Business Ventures
While Elon Musk is a billionaire investor, he has shown no serious interest in the film industry. Instead, his focus remains on Tesla (electric vehicles), SpaceX (space exploration), Neuralink (brain-computer interfaces), and AI (xAI and Grok Chatbot).
Musk has never announced any plans to launch a Hollywood film studio or invest in traditional media production. His few connections to entertainment include:
A cameo in Iron Man 2 (2010)
A guest appearance on Rick and Morty
Owning X (formerly Twitter), which influences media and public discourse
However, none of these activities suggest an interest in launching a film production studio.
Final Verdict: Completely False
The claim that Elon Musk has invested $3 billion into a film studio founded by Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg is 100% false. It originated from a satirical article, was later misrepresented as fact, and was widely spread by social media users who failed to verify the information.
🚨 Key Takeaways:
✅ There is no film studio by Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg.
✅ Elon Musk has not invested $3 billion in any film projects.
✅ The story originated from satire and was later misrepresented.
✅ Major fact-checking organizations have debunked the rumor multiple times.
The Importance of Fact-Checking
This viral hoax serves as a reminder of how easily misinformation spreads online. In an era of deepfakes, AI-generated images, and social media-driven news, it is critical to verify information before accepting or sharing it.
If you see sensational claims online, follow these steps:
🔍 Check multiple reliable news sources (e.g., Reuters, AP, BBC, The New York Times).
❌ Avoid blindly sharing unverified posts.
📌 Be wary of politically charged narratives that fit too perfectly into one-sided agendas.
By staying informed and fact-checking claims, we can prevent the spread of misinformation and promote accurate news consumption in the digital age. 🚀
